UN chief tells world to wake up to Pakistan – the world’s ‘worst disaster’

UN secretary-general
Ban Ki-moon yesterday called the Pakistan floods the worst disaster he had ever seen.

A child made homeless by the floods in Pakistan sleeps in his makeshift tent in Azakhel, near Nowshera Picture:PA

He warned that the world needed to wake up to the full devastation, which has so far claimed 1,600 lives, and speed up much-needed donations.

His rallying call came as experts warned of diseases such as cholera spreading across the country.

After being flown over the worst- affected areas yesterday, Mr Ban said: ‘This has been a heart-wrenching day for me. I will never forget the destruction and suffering I have witnessed.’

‘In the past I have witnessed many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like this.’

An estimated 20million people, including at least 2million left homeless, have been affected by the floods, which followed a heavy monsoon season across 36 districts.

Tens of thousands of people fled their homes at the weekend to escape new flooding from the swollen river Indus. There were reports of fighting among survivors over aid supplies.

Heavy rain is expected to continue, bringing further chaos and suffering.

Mr Ban said: ‘Waves of flood must be met with waves of support from the world. This disaster is far from over – the rains are still falling and could continue for weeks, and dams are at serious risk of rupture.’

The UN has asked for £295million in aid but has so far raised only about £96million from member states.

Britain has pledged £31million and a charity appeal has raised £12million.